Assistance Device For Entering And Exiting A Swimming Pool

Abstract

A system for moving a user between a deck and a floor of a swimming pool is provided. The system includes a rail assembly with rails configured to extend between the deck and the floor of a pool, a seat assembly configured for rolling engagement with the rails, and a drive mechanism configured to translate the seat assembly along the rails.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for moving a user between a deck and a floor of a swimming pool, the system comprising:
 a rail assembly having at least one rail configured to extend between the deck and the floor;   a seat assembly configured for rolling engagement with the at least one rail; and   a drive mechanism configured to translate the seat assembly along the at least one rail.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at east one rail includes two rails substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rail includes an upper portion configured to be fixed to the deck, a lower portion configured to engage the floor, and an intermediate portion configured to support and guide the seat assembly between an elevated position adjacent the deck and a lowered position a predefined distance from the floor of the pool. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate portion includes a stop configured to prevent the seat assembly from translating along the at least one rail closer to the floor than the lowered position. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a cable for engaging the seat assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor operatively associated with the cable for driving translation of the seat assembly along the at least one rail. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein the rail assembly includes a mounting plate configured to mount the at least one rail to the deck, and wherein the cable extends through the mounting plate. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one rail includes an interior portion and a slot in communication with the interior portion, and the cable extends through the interior portion and the slot. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a manually operated hand crank mounted to at least one of the seat assembly or the rail assembly, and the hand crank is operatively coupled to the cable for driving translation of the seat assembly along the at least one rail. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a pulley system operatively associated with the hand crank. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive system includes a counterweight configured to translate the seat assembly toward a first elevated position when the seat is unoccupied. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein the counterweight is configured to store water. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly includes a seat and a movable platform, the seat being engaged to the movable platform, the movable platform having a plurality of wheels configured to slidably engage opposite sides of at least one rail. 
     
     
         14 . A rail assembly for supporting a seat assembly and a user between a deck and a floor of a swimming pool, the rail assembly comprising:
 a first rail having an upper portion configured for coupling to and extending upward from the deck, a lower portion configured for engaging the floor, and an intermediate portion connecting the upper and lower portions,   wherein the intermediate portion is configured for supporting and guiding the seat assembly between an elevated position adjacent the deck and a lowered position a predefined distance from the floor.   
     
     
         15 . A rail assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate portion is configured for orientation at an angle between thirty and forty degrees relative to the floor. 
     
     
         16 . A rail assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate portion includes a stop for preventing the seat assembly from moving closer to the floor than the lowered position. 
     
     
         17 . A rail assembly according to  claim 14 , further comprising a second rail having an upper portion configured for coupling to and extending upward from the deck, a lower portion configured for engaging the floor, and an intermediate portion coupled to the upper and lower portions, wherein the second rail is substantially parallel to the first rail. 
     
     
         18 . A seat assembly for supporting a user along a rail assembly between a deck and a floor of a swimming pool, the seat assembly comprising:
 a seat; and   a movable platform having a plurality of wheels, the moveable platform being coupled to the seat,   wherein the plurality of wheels slidably engage opposite sides of a rail within the rail assembly for rolling engagement with the rail assembly.   
     
     
         19 . A seat assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the seat is formed with a buoyant material and is manually detachable from the movable platform. 
     
     
         20 . A seat assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the seat is configured to extend transverse to the movable platform and the rail assembly.